Wow, I guess people really don't check things out thoroughly before jumping in, do they? How about that comparison to the KKK, huh? :yes:

‘Simpsons’ actress stirs up Springfield with schools program linked to Scientology

SPRINGFIELD — Bart Simpson is creating a stir at the Statehouse.

The actress who lends her voice to the iconic “The Simpsons” character wants children to love their parents, not break the law and treat others as they want to be treated.

The character-building “Good Choices” program that espouses those virtues and that Nancy Cartwright developed through her non-profit organization could become an accepted tool for public school teachers to teach character development under an Illinois House resolution.

The Emmy Award-winning actress acknowledged in an online video that her program is based on “The Way to Happiness,” a book written by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology of which she is a member.

That tie to Scientology has triggered a backlash from some Republicans, who question why the state would put its imprimatur on Hubbard’s controversial teachings and expose schoolchildren to them, albeit indirectly.

State Rep. Dan Burke (D-Chicago), the lead sponsor of House Resolution 254, said even though he’s read but three pages of Hubbard’s “Diametrics,” he is not interested in promoting the Florida-based religion that includes Cartwright and actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta as devotees.

“I’ve been assured it’s not a Scientology promotion,” Burke said. “It’s a separate not-for-profit. It’s just basic good manners, good principles that kids sometimes don’t get exposed to in some of the more challenged areas of our state.”

Burke’s resolution praises the program for teaching “common sense guidelines covering specific tools to help children evaluate situations and make good decisions that will improve life for themselves and others” and encourages its use in state classrooms.

Burke said he was approached about including the Cartwright program by a non-profit organization known as the Good Citizens Foundation, which is headed by a Sycamore chiropractor named Jim McCoy.

The legislator said he is convinced there is no Church of Scientology dogma in Cartwright’s material and only a brief mention of Hubbard “on a back page.” The name of his book is featured on the material’s front cover, based on a representation on Cartwright’s website.

Initial reservations set aside, Burke said he became enthusiastic about backing the resolution because it would be “fun to have Bart Simpson’s voice down there.”

Cartwright is scheduled to testify on behalf of the resolution before a Wednesday House panel and will attend a Springfield reception Tuesday night.

She could not be reached Monday. But a statement from her publicist said, “The importance of education and the teaching of good values, morals and respect for others have been priorities in her efforts. Ms. Cartwright believes this type of curriculum should be integral to the formal learning process.”

Republicans on the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee initially were unaware that Cartwright’s program was influenced by a Hubbard book. Upon learning that, the panel’s ranking Republican voiced concern over the resolution.

“Would we suggest the KKK for something like this?” asked Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R-Sterling), a former school superintendent. “This might be something for a select private school, but I’m not sure it’s germane for a public school.”

“I just think we’re dabbling in a mix we don’t need to be dabbling in,” Mitchell said.

In 2009, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reported that Cartwright joined the Scientology church in the 1980s and donated $10 million to the organization in 2007.

Which leads us to:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/5298492-418/bart-simpson-voice-actress-still-coming-to-springfield-even-though-her-kids-program-isnt.html

So basically everything's OK, I'd say. For now, at least. :)

SweetnessandLight

11th May 2011, 10:03 AM

Thanks Mr. Nobody. Looks like somebody got through the facts about Scientology's abuses to the staff, and they responded appropriately, thank God! :clap:

Thank you to all who wrote or called regarding this issue! :thumbsup:

Keep Scientology and the works of it's front groups out of public schools!!! :yes:

Royal Prince Xenu

11th May 2011, 10:13 AM

I'm very sure that if it had "Based on KKK material" buried in a back page somewhere, it wouldn't have even seen the light of day!

secretiveoldfag

17th May 2011, 11:16 PM

I'm inclined to say sneaky bastards but this is quite clever. No-one can really object to TWTH except for the fact that it is attributed to the psychopath, liar and plagiarist, L. Ron Hubbard and not to a reputable person.

The point to watch is when approval spreads over or is assumed to cover Dianetics and his other serious garbage. But probably by now except in byways like Colombia there is no danger of this happening. I hope.

Mark A. Baker

17th May 2011, 11:58 PM

I'm inclined to say sneaky bastards but this is quite clever. No-one can really object to TWTH ...

Actually there is another objection that is common among elements of especially militant christians and similarly inclined monotheists. Such persons often object to any teaching of morality apart from a religious basis, notably their own. It is considered that attempts to do so constitute an anti-religious agenda pursued by humanists in an attempt to lessen the cultural & political influence of christianity in america.

The apparently 'humanist morality' prescribed in the 'Good Choices' campaign is thus doubly 'tainted' among such individuals for being both 'humanist' in purport yet also indirectly associated with a non-christian 'church'.

Mark A. Baker

Royal Prince Xenu

18th May 2011, 01:37 AM

I'm inclined to say sneaky bastards but this is quite clever. No-one can really object to TWTH except for the fact that it is attributed to the psychopath, liar and plagiarist, L. Ron Hubbard and not to a reputable person.

The point to watch is when approval spreads over or is assumed to cover Dianetics and his other serious garbage. But probably by now except in byways like Colombia there is no danger of this happening. I hope.

I agree with your summary but, I thought TWTH was written by MSH?

Actually there is another objection that is common among elements of especially militant christians and similarly inclined monotheists. Such persons often object to any teaching of morality apart from a religious basis, notably their own. It is considered that attempts to do so constitute an anti-religious agenda pursued by humanists in an attempt to lessen the cultural & political influence of christianity in america.

The apparently 'humanist morality' prescribed in the 'Good Choices' campaign is thus doubly 'tainted' among such individuals for being both 'humanist' in purport yet also indirectly associated with a non-christian 'church'.

Mark A. Baker

Definitely any form of approval is going to be used by the 'church' as an opportunity to get the salesman's foot inside the front door.